Tech Talk

Apple's second-generation HomePod will start arriving to customers and launch in stores this Friday. Ahead of time, the first reviews of the smart speaker have been shared by select media publications and YouTube channels. Priced at $299, the new HomePod features a virtually identical design as the full-size HomePod that Apple discontinued in March 2021, but with two fewer tweeters and two fewer microphones. The Siri-powered speaker is also equipped with a four-inch high-excursion woofer, an S7 chip for computational audio, and a U1 chip for handing off music from an iPhone. The speaker supports Matter for smart home accessories and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. A new sensor in the HomePod can measure temperature and humidity in indoor environments, and this feature was also enabled on the existing HomePod mini with a recent software update . Sound Recognition will also be coming to the new HomePod with a software update this spring, allowing the speaker to listen for smok

Flight tracker apps are a popular way to keep tabs on planes in the sky, because when you're preparing to fly or when someone you know is on board a flight, you can use them to check that things are still on schedule. But if you have an iPhone , you don't need to download and install a third-party app to track a flight – it's a handy built-in feature of the operating system. The ability to track flights in iOS is thanks to the data detectors that Apple has integrated into the system for quite a few years now. Data detectors recognize things like times, dates and addresses, and in the right context, turns these into tappable links. Here's how it works. Track Flights in Messages If someone sends you a flight number (U2502, say) in Messages, you should be able to tap the underlined number to get a real-time view of the flight's progress plotted on a map. You also get the option to learn more by tapping Preview Flight, which will give you information like depa

Nothing's Phone (1) did not get an official U.S. release when it launched in July 2022 , but that is set to change for the second version of the company's popular transparent Android handset, according to CEO and co-founder Carl Pei. Speaking to Inverse , Pei said that the U.K.-based company will make the U.S. market its number one priority for the Phone (2), which is set to be released later this year. "We're developing a smartphone that's more premium than the Nothing Phone (1) and software will be a big focus area for us," said Pei. "When you make a smartphone for the U.S. you need to work with the carriers on certification and adapting some of their features into your OS. We didn't have the resources for that before and now we do." Nothing has sold over 1 million products globally, with its Ear (1) earbuds selling 600,000 units and the Phone (1) reaching 500,000 shipments. According to Pei, about one-third of its Earbuds (1) sales come

Apple is continuing on with its Apple TV+ ad campaign starring actor Timothée Chalamet, today sharing a new spot where Chalamet praises Apple's taste and laments that the TV+ streaming service is "missing someone" while staring at a portrait of himself. Chalamet uses an iPad to longingly look through various ‌Apple TV+‌ shows and movies, naming the high-profile actors and actresses that star in the TV+ content. "Alright Apple, clearly you have taste," says Chalamet, and the spot eventually ends with him asking Apple to "talk." The ad is similar to a "Call Me" spot that Apple shared earlier in January, where Chalamet expressed his desire to star in an ‌Apple TV+‌ show. Apple's ad campaign is clearly leading up to announcement of an ‌Apple TV+‌ series or movie starring Chalamet, as the company did something similar with Jon Hamm before he was announced as a cast member of "The Morning Show." Tags: Apple Ads , Apple TV Sho

Numerous models of Apple's 2022 iPad Air have hit all-time low prices today on Amazon, with prices starting at $499.99 for the 64GB model. In total, you'll find up to $99 off these tablets, with record low prices available for nearly every version of the latest iPad Air. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. The 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air is available in four total colors at $499.99 on Amazon, which is down from $599.00. As of writing, shipping on this version of the tablet is delayed, with the earliest available for delivery around February 16. Given this is an all-time low price, you can lock in this deal today ahead of those slightly delayed arrival dates. $99 OFF 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air for $499.99 Secondly, the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad Air has hit $649.99 on Amazon, down from $749.00. This is another record low price, and it's available in three c

The M2 Pro and ‌M2‌ Max MacBook Pro models feature a considerably smaller heatsink due to supply chain issues, teardowns suggest. Top: M1 Pro logic board with larger heatsink. Bottom: ‌M2‌ Pro logic board with smaller heatsink (via iFixit ). The new MacBook Pro's revised thermal architecture appears to be caused by the reduced overall footprint of the ‌M2‌ Pro and ‌M2‌ Max SoCs inside the device, as noted by iFixit and Max Tech . The ‌M1 Pro‌ and M1 Max MacBook Pro models contained two, large memory modules, but the ‌M2‌ Pro and ‌M2‌ Max MacBook Pro models contain four slimmer memory modules. Even though the ‌M2‌ Pro and ‌M2‌ Max dies are physically larger than those of the ‌M1 Pro‌ and ‌M1 Max‌, the SoCs as a whole take up less space. Left: ‌M1 Pro‌ SoC. Right: ‌M2‌ Pro SoC (via iFixit ). This means that the ‌M2‌ Pro and ‌M2‌ Max MacBook Pro models do not require a heatsink as large as the one used for the previous generation. It is not clear if this significantly impa

The high-end MacBook Pro is available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, starting at $1,999 and $2,499, so which should you choose? While the two machines have more similarities than Macs offered in different sizes from previous years, the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models have at least six noticeably different design aspects, features, and capabilities, so should you consider purchasing the smaller MacBook Pro, or spending at least $500 more for the larger model? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two high-end MacBook Pro models is best for you. Similarities Overview Mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1,000 nits sustained brightness, 1,600 nits peak brightness, P3 wide color, True Tone, and ProMotion M2 Pro and ‌M2‌ Max chip options with up to 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU Up to 96GB of unified memory Up to 8TB of SSD storage Touch ID 1080p FaceTime HD camera High-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woo

Today we're tracking a few deals on cases for the iPhone and iPad. Specifically, this includes the Magic Keyboard case for the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, as well as Clear, Silicone, and Leather cases for the iPhone 14 family of smartphones. iPad Keyboards Starting with the 11-inch iPad Pro Magic Keyboard, Amazon has this accessory for $249.99 in White and Black, down from $299.00. This is a second-best price on the 11-inch Magic Keyboard, and only Amazon has this price. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. $49 OFF 11-inch Magic Keyboard for $249.99 Additionally, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro Magic Keyboard is on sale for $299.99 on Amazon, down from $349.00. This is another second-best price for the Magic Keyboard, and for the 12.9-inch size only White is available. $49 OFF 12.9-inch Magic Keyboard for $299.99 iPhone Cases Other th

A U.S.-based Apple supplier has begun making components for AirPods in India, marking a significant step in the tech giant's push to expand production in the country, reports Bloomberg . According to the news outlet, the Indian unit of Florida-based electronics manufacturer Jabil has begun shipping plastic AirPods enclosures to China and Vietnam, making the earbuds the second Apple product after iPhones to be made in India. The move is part of Apple's plan to reduce its production reliance on China, where lockdown disruptions and US trade restrictions have made manufacturing more risky. According to Jabil's website , the company operates a 858,000 square foot (80,000 square meter) facility employing more than 2,500 workers in Pune, western India. Meanwhile, Apple's China-based suppliers are still waiting for the Indian government's approval to begin manufacturing there, with The Economic Times reporting that 14 Chinese companies have so far been granted o

The high-end MacBook Pro is available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, starting at $1,999 and $2,499, so which should you choose? While the two machines have more similarities than Macs offered in different sizes from previous years, the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models have at least six noticeably different design aspects, features, and capabilities, so should you consider purchasing the smaller MacBook Pro, or spending at least $500 more for the larger model? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two high-end MacBook Pro models is best for you. Similarities Overview Mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1,000 nits sustained brightness, 1,600 nits peak brightness, P3 wide color, True Tone, and ProMotion M2 Pro and ‌M2‌ Max chip options with up to 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU Up to 96GB of unified memory Up to 8TB of SSD storage Touch ID 1080p FaceTime HD camera High-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woo

Apple will launch a foldable iPad with a carbon fiber kickstand sometime next year, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo . In a series of tweets , Kuo said he expects an "all-new design foldable ‌iPad‌" to be the next big product launch in the ‌iPad‌ lineup, with no major ‌iPad‌ releases in the next nine to 12 months. The analyst said the foldable device would arrive in 2024, but did not provide a more specific timeframe. The analyst's latest survey indicates that a carbon fiber material will be used for the ‌iPad‌'s kickstand to make it light and durable. Chinese polishing and bonding supplier Anjie Technology will be the new beneficiary of the foldable ‌iPad‌, said Kuo. This isn't the first time we have heard rumors of Apple planning to launch a foldable ‌iPad‌. An October 2022 report from analysts at CCS Insight claimed Apple plans to use a foldable ‌‌iPad‌‌ in 2024 as a practice run for foldable technology before adopting it on the ‌ iPhone ‌. Apple is

Following last week's hardware announcements, this week saw the actual release of several of the new products as well as operating system updates bringing new features and bug fixes across Apple's platforms. This week also saw some fresh rumors about the iPhone 15 lineup and Apple's upcoming AR/VR headset, while we shared some tips to help you get the most of your macOS experience, so read for all the details on these stories and more! Everything New in iOS 16.3 for Your iPhone iOS 16.3 was released to the public this week following around six weeks of beta testing. The software update is relatively minor, but there are still a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone, so make sure to check out our list of everything new in iOS 16.3 . Apple also released iPadOS 16.3, macOS 13.2 , watchOS 9.3 , tvOS 16.3 , and HomePod software version 16.3 this week with new features across the iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod. iPhone 15 Pro Rumored to Fea

The World Surf League (WSL) today named the Apple Watch as its official wearable, with the device set to be used as official competitor equipment in a sports environment for the first time. During the 2023 Championship Tour, WSL athletes will use the WSL Surfer app on the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra to get updates while they're surfing in the competition. The app is designed to sync with the WSL Scoring System in real time, offering athletes important details on scores, wave priority, and time remaining in the heat. Each competitor will receive an Apple Watch before each heat, with the watch to come preloaded with the WSL app. The app has been in testing with Championship Tour surfers during the prior two tours to make sure that it meets the needs of competitors. Apple's Director of Apple Watch Product Marketing Eric Jue said the company is "thrilled" the WSL is adopting the Apple Watch. "We're thrilled the WSL is utilizing Apple W

Google's Chrome browser has long been criticized for being a system resource hog, which is why Chromium developers have been busy working on ways to free up memory and keep things running smoothly when users have multiple windows and tabs open. The latest effort in that regard comes in the form of Memory Saver, a new feature that deactivates open tabs you haven't used in a while so that the tabs you are using offer the smoothest possible experience. With Memory Saver enabled, your inactive tabs remain open, and when you access an inactive tab, it reloads automatically. Google claims the new Memory Saver feature means Chrome uses up to 40% and 10GB less memory. The company says the new performance setting is particularly good at keeping active video and gaming tabs running smoothly. Google is rolling out Memory Saver mode over the next several weeks globally for Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS, but not everyone will see it yet. Fortunately, if the new Settings -> Perform

Apple is working on new software tools that will allow both developers and customers to create augmented reality apps for its widely-rumored AR/VR headset, according to a paywalled report today from The Information 's Wayne Ma . Interestingly, the report claims that customers will be able to create and release AR apps for the headset via Siri, even if they do not have the ability to code: With the software tools, Apple hopes that even people who don't know computer code could tell the headset, via the Siri voice assistant, to build an AR app that could then be made available via Apple's App Store for others to download. The tool, for example, could allow users to build an app with virtual animals moving around a room and over or around real-life objects without the need to design the animal from scratch, program its animations and calculate its movement in a 3D space with obstacles. The report likens Apple's tool to Minecraft and Roblox, which allow anyone to easily

Google's Chrome browser has long been criticized for being a system resource hog, which is why Chromium developers have been busy working on ways to free up memory and keep things running smoothly when users have multiple windows and tabs open. The latest effort in that regard comes in the form of Memory Saver, a new feature that deactivates open tabs you haven't used in a while so that the tabs you are using offer the smoothest possible experience. With Memory Saver enabled, your inactive tabs remain open, and when you access an inactive tab, it reloads automatically. Google claims the new Memory Saver feature means Chrome uses up to 40% and 10GB less memory. The company says the new performance setting is particularly good at keeping active video and gaming tabs running smoothly. Google is rolling out Memory Saver mode over the next several weeks globally for Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS, but not everyone will see it yet. Fortunately, if the new Settings -> Perform

Apple has paused work on the Wi-Fi chip that it has in development, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today . The development of the Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip has been "halted" at the current time, and Kuo says Apple will hold off "for a while." That means that Apple supplier Broadcom will continue providing Apple with Wi-Fi chips for the foreseeable future, including supplying the chips for the upcoming iPhone 15 models that are set to be released in 2023. News of Apple's work on a Wi-Fi chip first surfaced in January when Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman said that Apple was working on a combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip that would replace components that are sourced from Broadcom. At the time, Gurman said that Apple was aiming to transition to its own chips starting in 2024, replacing Broadcom parts by 2025. Note that the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip is separate from the 5G modem chip that Apple also has in development to replace technology from Qualcomm. App